Special Court has no jurisdiction and was set up only to try cases under PCA & PMLA

Only charges pertain to interpretation of Clause 8 of the UASL guidelines

Mumbai / Delhi, India: The Honorable Delhi High Court today asked Essar to seek clarification from the Supreme Court on a petition filed by the company in the High Court. Essar approached the HC since it believes that the special judge – Mr. OP Saini has no jurisdiction and that this case should be tried in a magistrate’s court. The HC has given time until the 16th of February 2012 to seek clarifications.

As per the notification issued on the orders of the SC, the special court was set up exclusively set to try out offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Essar reiterates that even as per the CBI chargesheet no offence is made out under these two acts which the special court was set up to hear.

Essar has always maintained that CBI charges have nothing to do with the 2G scam, a fact also confirmed by the CBI chargesheet. The only charge against us pertains to interpretation of Clause 8 of the UASL guidelines, which being a civil matter, can only be tried by a Magistrate as it is merely a contractual issue.

Essar has full faith in the judiciary and is confident that justice will be served.